Dozens of candlelight vigils took place across the country yesterday (28 October) to mark the fifth anniversary of the death of dentist Savita Halappanavar.

Savita was ı7 weeks pregnant when she died at University Hospital Galway on 28 October 20ı2, seven days after being admitted for serious back pain. Despite being found to be miscarrying, she was refused a termination. The autopsy found that the 3ı-year-old died of septicaemia “documented ante-mortem” and E.coli ESBL.

The inquest into her death eventually returned a verdict of medical misadventure with nine members of staff at UHG being subsequently disciplined.

The vigil outside the GPO in Dublin was one of more than 20 that took place across Ireland and was organised by the Coalition to Repeal the Eighth Amendment. Speaking just before the vigil, convenor of the coalition Ailbhe Smyth said: “The Oireachtas Committee that is considering what should be done about the Eighth Amendment committee has heard from leading experts on maternity healthcare in recent weeks. Their opinion was unequivocal: if it weren’t for the Eighth Amendment, Savita Halappanavar would be alive today.

“For once in Ireland, we need to take on board the lessons from our past. We need to ensure that no more women die in these sort of tragic circumstances.”

Tags: Eighth Amendment, Savita Halappanavar, University Hospital Galway